It is definitely a holiday staple.
One of the most played songs every year after Thanksgiving.
This year will not be any different because many of us simply love Christmas music.
It holds the record for the fastest run to No. 1 in music history.
Think about that.
Music has a long, deep history. And, he lives right here in Tuscaloosa, as of 2025.
No song made it to the top faster than this classic.
Rarely does a song become a cultural staple and is made into a film.
As well as a Best-Selling book.
The movie starred Rob Lowe and Brad Paisley's wife, Kimberly Williams.
The year the movie premiered, as a Sunday night movie of the week on NBC, it became the highest-rated movie of the entire year.
Another impressive feat.
The successful movie, of course, led to a sequel and another sequel. That's what happens anytime you have something that Americans can't get enough of.
Now, the creator of the entire concept has chosen Tuscaloosa, or the Tuscaloosa area, as his hometown.
I know the writer pretty well.
He is a close friend, in fact. The phenomena he is responsible for are rarely something he talks about. In my experience, folks only find out when one of their other friends brings it up in a group setting.
People have one of two reactions.
1.) FREAK OUT
2.) FREAK OUT, FOLLOWED BY A HATE-FILLED RANT
Of course, this is what happens when something is wildly popular.
You either love it or hate it. I have seen people start crying because it means so much to them.
That's my favorite.
The song? "Christmas Shoes" by Contemporary Christian vocal group, Newsong.
Credit: Benson Records via YouTube
The movie is "Christmas Shoes" starring Rob Lowe.
The writer?
Well, me.
That's right. I co-wrote "Christmas Shoes" back in 1998 with a couple of members of the group "NewSong".
I am so happy that it has touched so many hearts. At the same time, comedian Patton Oswalt does a 20-minute set on how much he hates the song.
That's okay. If one person was impacted, it was worth it all.
LOOK: The top holiday toys from the year you were born
Gallery Credit: Stacker
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